Stud Finders
#1
02-05-04, 04:57 PM
Stud Finders
Have old stud finder that is basically just a pivoting magnet. Was wondering how the new electronic type stud finders work and which one performs the best. Thanks.
#3
02-06-04, 05:32 AM
Super Moderator
rkc:
I have two but honestly can't remember what make.
They both work the same but as weebee said they have limitations.
If the drywall isn't making good contact with the stud no finder will give good results.
I highly recomend them though.
In combination with the knuckle rap, screwhead search and measuring from a known stud you will find 'em every time.
I have two but honestly can't remember what make.
They both work the same but as weebee said they have limitations.
If the drywall isn't making good contact with the stud no finder will give good results.
I highly recomend them though.
In combination with the knuckle rap, screwhead search and measuring from a known stud you will find 'em every time.
#4
02-06-04, 06:12 AM
Member
I use a "Zircon" stud finder that usually can show me both edges of a stud. Since all stud finders can be fooled by stuff inside the wall, I always verify stud location by driving a small finishing nail at the mark. If it hits wood, I'm good to go.
#5
02-08-04, 01:04 PM
Originally posted by Dave_D1945
I use a "Zircon" stud finder that usually can show me both edges of a stud. Since all stud finders can be fooled by stuff inside the wall, I always verify stud location by driving a small finishing nail at the mark. If it hits wood, I'm good to go.
I use a "Zircon" stud finder that usually can show me both edges of a stud. Since all stud finders can be fooled by stuff inside the wall, I always verify stud location by driving a small finishing nail at the mark. If it hits wood, I'm good to go.
#6
02-08-04, 01:59 PM
Super Moderator
Both of mine will locate the edge of the stud with a series of led's that light up as you approach the stud.
When the last one lights you are right on the edge, and as you pass the stud when one goes out you change direction and when the last one lights again you're there.
It usually is right on.
When the last one lights you are right on the edge, and as you pass the stud when one goes out you change direction and when the last one lights again you're there.
It usually is right on.
#7
02-08-04, 02:47 PM
Member
That's the one, millertime. Costs about $10 at Home Depot. It also seems to get messed up if you slide it too fast. Take your time and it works great.
#8
02-08-04, 04:54 PM
Originally posted by GregH
Both of mine will locate the edge of the stud with a series of led's that light up as you approach the stud.
When the last one lights you are right on the edge, and as you pass the stud when one goes out you change direction and when the last one lights again you're there.
It usually is right on.
Both of mine will locate the edge of the stud with a series of led's that light up as you approach the stud.
When the last one lights you are right on the edge, and as you pass the stud when one goes out you change direction and when the last one lights again you're there.
It usually is right on.
#9
02-10-04, 04:41 PM
Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,309
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
what I do
I have a small high power magnet about the size of a dime I slide it over the wall and it latches on to nails that is were my studs are.Kinda a cheap primitive way but it works.
#10
02-10-04, 05:45 PM
Member
It may work, Michael, but if it doesn't have blinking lights and digital readouts it can't be much fun. 
#11
02-10-04, 08:52 PM
My old Zircon LED gave up and I bought the light-beam one. It does a lot of extra things--special blinkies to indicate electrical wires and I don't know what else because the 6 paragraphs or so of dense instructions are in microscopic font that I can't read.
I have to hold the button in a couple of times before it "takes" and finds the stud. The light is nice but the old "dumb" one was easier and faster to use.
I have to hold the button in a couple of times before it "takes" and finds the stud. The light is nice but the old "dumb" one was easier and faster to use.
#13
02-12-04, 02:19 PM
Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,309
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Old school
I guess it is not much fun as one with a zillion LEDS and buzzers but I am from the old school were you have to do with what you have.
#15
09-23-04, 05:31 PM
stud finder
This site is quite humorous. Fun! I recently bought the black&decker bullseye I think they call it. It has a top-knotch stud-finder and an automatic leveling laser line that is very handy. comes with anchoring pins that will hold it on even a hard stucco wall. I forget what I paid but I really like it.
#16
10-04-04, 05:40 PM
Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Kansas City, Missouri.
Posts: 1,136
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
This is no joke guys. I whipped out my beeping, flashing studfinder the other day while my unmarried neice stood nearby and watched. Honestly, when I told her what it was, she said, "I need one of those".
#18
12-28-04, 02:38 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: langley, in sunny fraser valley, bc , near vancouver
Posts: 1,070
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Morning all,
- i have 3 studfinders including the 'original' Zircon i've had for about 15 years ! I couldn't do without them. There is NO way a magnet can compete, as it will not find most wallboard screws and NEVER find a stud's edge.
The zircon style studfinders rely on measuring 'capacitance' in the electrical sense, and this is why they must be firmly pressed and moved fairly slowly. When theyre on wallboard, capacitance depth is estabished and as soon as it increases the LED's light up. VIVA ZIRCON
- i have 3 studfinders including the 'original' Zircon i've had for about 15 years ! I couldn't do without them. There is NO way a magnet can compete, as it will not find most wallboard screws and NEVER find a stud's edge.
The zircon style studfinders rely on measuring 'capacitance' in the electrical sense, and this is why they must be firmly pressed and moved fairly slowly. When theyre on wallboard, capacitance depth is estabished and as soon as it increases the LED's light up. VIVA ZIRCON
#19
12-28-04, 06:33 PM
Lug did you say UNMARRIED....AND into tools?????? 
...where do you live again?
Wait...how old is she?
BTW I see now, kansas city, not too far...not too close either
...where do you live again? Wait...how old is she?
BTW I see now, kansas city, not too far...not too close either
..thats not me..
#22
01-20-05, 03:00 AM
Originally Posted by nomind
There is NO way a magnet can compete, as it will not find most wallboard screws...
A cute variation: "Spherical magnets... can also be rolled along the crack in a hardwood floor where it will stop and quiver like a Labrador on point whenever it rolls over a nail, so that you can map the nails and then cut into the floor without fear of tool damage. "
#23
01-20-05, 09:20 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: langley, in sunny fraser valley, bc , near vancouver
Posts: 1,070
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Hey Kobuchi, - I can tell you've been spending time in 'Lee Valley Tools'. Should we tell our southern cousins about 'Lee Valley' ?
Nah, they'll just be unhappy or jealous they don't have one down there... they don't do they ?
it's still a canuck secret , right ?
Do it Right - Do it once.
Nah, they'll just be unhappy or jealous they don't have one down there... they don't do they ?
it's still a canuck secret , right ?
Do it Right - Do it once.
#24
02-04-05, 06:11 PM
Originally Posted by nomind
Morning all,
- i have 3 studfinders including the 'original' Zircon i've had for about 15 years ! I couldn't do without them. There is NO way a magnet can compete, as it will not find most wallboard screws and NEVER find a stud's edge.
The zircon style studfinders rely on measuring 'capacitance' in the electrical sense, and this is why they must be firmly pressed and moved fairly slowly. When theyre on wallboard, capacitance depth is estabished and as soon as it increases the LED's light up. VIVA ZIRCON
- i have 3 studfinders including the 'original' Zircon i've had for about 15 years ! I couldn't do without them. There is NO way a magnet can compete, as it will not find most wallboard screws and NEVER find a stud's edge.
The zircon style studfinders rely on measuring 'capacitance' in the electrical sense, and this is why they must be firmly pressed and moved fairly slowly. When theyre on wallboard, capacitance depth is estabished and as soon as it increases the LED's light up. VIVA ZIRCON
